Karamoja Iron Sheets Trial Postponed Due to Lawyer's Election Petition Duties

The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has pushed the trial of former Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu and her co-accused to December. The postponement occurred after defence lawyer Jude Byamukama failed to attend court due to ongoing commitments handling election petitions.

Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya informed the court that the prosecution was fully prepared to present three witnesses. However, the absence of the defence counsel incapacitated the proceedings for the day. To prevent further stalling, both legal teams were directed to hold a pre-trial conference to agree on undisputed documents.

Deputy Registrar Patrick Talisuna subsequently fixed new trial dates for December 7, 8, and 10, extending the bail for all accused individuals. Kitutu faces charges alongside Joshua Abaho, a senior assistant secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, over the alleged diversion of 14,500 pre-painted iron sheets. The relief materials were originally intended for vulnerable communities and reformed cattle rustlers in the Karamoja sub-region.

According to the prosecution, the offences took place between June 2022 and January 2023. Kitutu’s brother, Michael Naboya, faces separate charges for allegedly receiving a portion of the unlawfully obtained roofing materials. All accused parties maintain their innocence.

The high-profile case has previously experienced various legal hurdles, including an unsuccessful challenge by Kitutu at the Court of Appeal aimed at halting separate criminal proceedings. With those challenges dismissed, the main trial is now expected to resume before the end of the year.

Read more details on the Daily Monitor.